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Donovan McNabb Benched For Rex Grossman, Everyone Freaks Out

By Mike Prada

To say that Mike Shanahan's decision to bench Donovan McNabb for Rex Grossman before the Redskins' final drive of their 37-25 loss to the Detroit Lions was misguided is like saying Albert Haynesworth had "misgivings" about the 3-4 defense before the season. For a head coach that has had so much success in this league, it was downright shocking. I honestly can't remember seeing a worse decision by a head coach with that good of a reputation.

I might be overreacting, but how else can you react to a coach benching his starting quarterback like that? There's really no upside to the move. Either Grossman fails, which happened, and McNabb's upset, or Grossman succeeds and you suddenly have a quarterback controversy going forward. Shanahan's stated explanation -- that Grossman is more familiar with the terminology -- makes absolutely no sense. It's one thing to know the terminology, it's another thing to execute it. How Shanahan didn't understand that is beyond me.

Regardless, this was the kind of decision that everyone knew was not smart the minute it happened. These real-time Twitter reactions below the jump pretty much tell the whole story.

Why, yes, putting a bad qb in with no prep time is a fine idea. Why do u ask?less than a minute ago via Mobile WebJohn Keim
john_keim

Who knew Mike Shanahan was going to dress up as Jim Zorn for Halloween. #Redskinsless than a minute ago via TweetDeckScott Jackson
JacksonSports

Well, that worked well.less than a minute ago via webDan Steinberg
dcsportsbog

There are so many coaching fails this week I don't know where to begin.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneHogs Haven
hogshaven

Unbelievable. Worst move ever.less than a minute ago via webRick Snider
Snide_Remarks

McNabb is thinking, "I could have done that."less than a minute ago via webthom loverro
thomloverro

Someone with the Redskins PR department is quickly making up a Donovan McNabb injury.less than a minute ago via webKyle Weidie
Truth_About_It

Bet McNabb is itching to sign an extension with Skins nowless than a minute ago via TweetDeckgmuhoops
gmuhoops

I was wearing a Redskins uniform for Halloween too, that doesn't mean I should be put in for the 2 minute offense..less than a minute ago via webBram Weinstein
BramWeinstein

 

 

I think I'm going to go outside now and work on my car.less than a minute ago via webJohn Taylor
johnmtaylor

Well. No show prep needed this week.less than a minute ago via webchad dukes
chaddukes

Snyder's calling Bill Cowher now, right?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckMike Prada
MikePradaSBN

 

And the one that really summed it all up:

i can't believe everything that just happened in the last 60 seconds.less than a minute ago via Twitter for AndroidChris Mottram
ChrisMottram